The Guide's Forecast: April 24-30

Willamette Valley/Metro: Willamette River spring chinook anglers are enjoying moderate success from the Multnomah Channel up to Oregon City. Although the catching is just average at best, it hasn't hampered the effort. Monday provided a pretty decent bite at the head of Multnomah Channel, with some boats getting two to four fish. The Portland Harbor has been spotty giving up a handful of fish one day and being challenging the next. Willamette Park and Sellwood are mostly slow with the odd average day. Oregon City is getting busy and the fish are there, but so are the sea lions and some days they seem to be getting 75 percent of the fish hooked. Either we are having a slim return or the bulk of the run is on the late side, the next two weeks will tell. Bass anglers are starting to show with the warming weather and although effort is light, catch and release sturgeon fishing is likely very good.

With dry weather this week, the McKenzie water level has continued to drop. Fly fishers may expect excellent water conditions over the coming weekend, although pressure has been light. Nymphs have been most effective recently.

Spring counts are picking up at Willamette Falls, while summer steelhead numbers have remained steady. Many of these fish are bound for the Santiams, where results have been fair for steelhead and salmon action will occur later in the season. As of Thursday, 173 winter steelhead had been counted at Foster Dam. The summer steelhead count of 82 has not changed since April 4.

The Clackamas River is running a bit on the high side, with excellent visibility. Summer steelhead are present as well as the odd late winter fish. A couple of spring chinook are rumored to have been caught, and it should be no surprise. Fresh steelhead should be spread throughout the river's length; however the river upstream from Carver provides the best holding water, as well as bank access. Spring chinook will peak in late May and June, while summer steelhead will trickle in through July.

Sandy River steelhead fishermen have been working hard for a few summer steelhead and diminished numbers of late winter steelhead. Like the Clackamas, the Sandy has been running high with good visibility. Drift boaters have been having the best success pulling plugs on the Oxbow Park to Dabney Park stretch, while most bank fishermen work the upper river from Oxbow up to Dodge Park. The season's first spring chinook has yet to be reported. Summer steelhead are available here through July while the spring salmon will peak in early to mid-June.

The ODFW is hosting a family fishing event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Trojan Pond near Rainier. Staff and volunteer fishing instructors will offer helpful tips to families that want to learn how to fish. The department will loan out rods, reels and tackle and provide bait to anyone who needs it. The event is free and open to the public.

Northwest: Spring chinook have been reported from Tillamook Bay although most are waiting for mid-May before putting in an effort. River levels are dropping and clearing, but the Trask, Wilson and to a lesser extent, the Nestucca should have both steelhead and early spring chinook available.

Offshore opportunity should also present itself through the weekend, but afternoon winds will put a damper on a full day's effort. California stock chinook and bottomfish await anglers willing to pursue them in calm seas. Crabbing in the ocean will be fair at best.

Excellent early morning tide series along with a calm ocean swell should make razor clam digging very productive along Clatsop Beaches this weekend.Southwest: Surf perch fishing is good and improving on southwest beaches. Mid-day and early afternoon incoming tides will favor redtail anglers.

The spring all-depth halibut season opens May 9-11 and May 16-18, then every other Thursday through Saturday until the quota is fulfilled.

Crabbing is slow in Winchester Bay. Spring chinook fishing is slow to fair with best results in the Scottsburg area. Catches are expected to improve in coming weeks. The South Umpqua will close to all angling from May 1-24.

Spring chinook fishing has been slow to fair on the lower Rogue over the past week with only a few guide boats reporting limits. Chinook are entering the middle river as well and upper Rogue anglers are hoping for a shot at them soon. Try wrapped pugs in migration lanes for the best chance of a hookup.

Boaters taking advantage of early morning calm seas just outside the Port of Brookings have taken good numbers of large rockfish and legal-sized lingcod before wind and wave action picked up.

With the spring thaw well underway at Diamond Lake, boats may now launch from the ramp on the north shore. About 50 percent of the water is expected to be ice-free by the weekend. Ice-out fishing is usually good here.

The ODFW is hosting a family fishing event Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Middle Empire Lake in Coos Bay. After family fishing clinic, kids can fish an enclosure stocked with 6,000 trout.

SW Washington: Fishing for salmon and steelhead on most district streams remains slow, but the Cowlitz will offer up some spring chinook and summer steelhead as we enter the peak period of returns.

The Wind River and Drano Lake fisheries are slow to jump-start but counts at Bonneville are starting to climb and the action should take off this week. With no effort taking place below Bonneville, salmon should be motivated to bite offerings.

Liberal opportunity is slated for razor clam diggers on the Washington Coast starting today. Check the WDF&W web site for detailed information.

Eastern: Spring has come to the lower Deschutes although it can be tumultuous at times, Expect to find great water conditions with caddis and mayflies hatching in the afternoon. An early Salmonfly hatch is expected, perhaps mid-May.

Fishing is spotty on the Metolius, although a big bull trout can make an angler's day here.

Crooked River level and flow has continued to moderate, putting it in great shape for the coming weekend. Nymphs are most effective here, but keep an eye out for risers during brief afternoon hatches.

Saturday is the opening of the general trout season, with many anticipating the Crane Prairie opener this weekend.